Smoke detection and extinguishing system



Jan. 2, 1951 A. F. OLSEN SMOKE DETECTION AND EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 28, 1948 INVENTOR.

ALBERT F- OLSEN ATTORNEYS Jan. 2, 1951 A. F. OLSEN SMOKE DETECTION AND EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 28, 1948 INVENTOR. ALBERT F: OLSEN ATTORNEYS Patented Jan. 2, 1951 UNITED STATES SMOKE DETECTION AND, EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM Application June 28, 1948, Serial No. 35,602

'7 Claims. 1

This invention relates to smoke detecting and fire extinguishing s stems adapted to efficiently service and protect a room, compartment or series of compartments from a central point or station.

My improved system is applicable to rooms or compartments in buildings, multi=compartment transportation vehicles, but has particular applicability' for airplanes and ships employing numerous closed compartments, bunkers and the like, where fire hazard and attendant dangers are great.

While smoke detection and fire extinguishing systems have been utilized in ships and airplanes, such devices and system, to my knowledge, have not been satisfactory for several reasons. False fire indications were frequent since such systems have depended on Visual indicators often affected by dust in the compartments or by alarms responsive to increased temperatures within the compartments. Moreover, many of said systems employed extinguishing fluid-control means which were uncertain in operation, sometimes failing to discharge and sometimes misdirecting the distribution of extinguishing fluid.

In the case of systems using visual indicators, accumulation of frost or condensation in the observation chamber in numerous cases resulted in failure of detection.

An object of my invention is to provide a simple, positively operated system for servicing and protecting one or more compartments or rooms of airplanes, ships, transportation vehicles and buildings which will give to the pilot or attendant at a central station, visually and through sense of smell, a warning by sample of smoke from a predetermined compartment with positively operated fire extinguishing mechanism operative and controllable from the seat or platform at the central station.

A further object is to provide a system of the class described wherein as far as possible, the same elements of the system are utilized for collecting and transmitting smoke from an individual com artment tothe particular indication nozzle as Well as for transmitting extinguishing fluid under pressure in the opposite direction from a source to the compartment where the fire occurs.

Another object of the invention is the provi sion of a smell and visual detection system Where possible errors as to the location of a fire and application of extinguishing fluid to that point, are eliminated.

It is a further object to rovide an adaptation 2 of my invention for a multiplicity of isolated or spaced compartments to selectively and successively test for smoke in each thereof and to sel'ectively distribute extinguishe to anyone thereof in the event of fire.

My multiple compartment system preferably employs a common detector nozzle and source of extinguishing fluid and control therefor but utilizes indicator mechanism and a valve system for injecting, through operation at the central station, extinguishing fluid into the particular compartment where fire has occurred.

These and other objects and advantages of my invention will more fully appear from the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the Several views and in which:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatical View showing a simple form of my improved smoke detecting and fire extinguishing system applied to a luggage compartment in the fuselage of a commercial airplane, portions of the plane being indicated by dotted lines and parts of my apparatus being broken away and others shown in section;

Fig. 2 is a detail view showing a longitudinal section of a suitable form of detection nozzle comprising a part of my system;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary vertical section showing a positively operated mechanism for discharging extinguishing fluid such as carbon dioxide from a container or source and f orsimultaneously closing a Valve to shut oil how of gaseous medium or fluid to said detection nozzle;

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatical perspective view of the fuselage of a large commercial passenger plane with portions thereof broken away and with an embodiment of my system op-eratively installed therein;

Fig. 5 is an electrical diagram showing the electrical indicating system and valve controls adapted to successively indicate compartments from which samples of gaseous medium are drawn and discharged through my detection nozale and operative also to, upon detection or fire, selectively connect the particular compartment where the fire has occurred with the extinguishing fiuid distributor; and

Fig. 6 is a detail view mostly in vertical section showing the indicator arm with provision of manual operation when the same is desirable.

Referring now to the simplified form of the invention illustrated in Fig. 1 to Fig. 3, my system as shown, is applied to an airplane to service and protect from the cockpit. adjacent the pilots seat, a luggage compartment removed some distance therefrom. My system includes a combination smoke-withdrawing and extinguishing fluid-distributing member as shown in the form, of a tubular element is arranged in rectangular or annular form and provided with a series of spaced and as shown, staggered orifices Hla. Air and smoke or other gaseous media from within the cioscd compartment C (indicated in dotted lines) orifices into the communication conduit H of my system. Conduit H, as shown, extends forwardly from one end of member I5} and is connected at its forward end with an upstanding detector nozzle is which as shown, is tapered conically at its extremity to discharge a jet of gaseous medium upwardly, generally in the direction of the head of a pilot or attendant seated in the seat 3 (indicated by dotted lines) Within the cockpit of the plane. with the conduit system to withdraw air from compartment C producing a partial vacuum in conduit 5 i and causing air or smoke to travel forwardly through nozzle 52. In some installations,

differential pressure during flight between the interior cockpit CP and compartment C has been found adequate to produce a now of air forwardly and upwardly through nozzle 52. I prefer however, to provide a discharge fan is mount d in a casing 53a forming an enlargement of the base of nozzle 52 and directing discharge of air tangentially through such nozzle. A motor M, as shown, is mounted exteriorly of the fan casing 53a with its sh ft projecting axially into the casing, as illustrated in Fig. 1.

Intermediate of the detection nozzle 52 and combination smoke withdrawing and fluid distributing member ii), I provide a positively operated means for instantly introducing fire extinguishing fluid under pressure into conduit H and to cause such fluid to flow rearwardly into the distributing member H3 and to be discharged in spaced iets therefrom into the compartment for extinguishing a fire.

In the form of apparatus illustrated, I provide a. container holder in the form of a horizontally disposed supporting bracket it mounted as shown, at the base and rear of the pilot seat. This brack t has adjacent its forward end, a compress ble se t a adapted to engage the discharge end or neck extremity of a conventional type of sealed container X which holds an extinguishing fluid such as carbon dioxide gas, under pressure. Means is provided such as the clamp I 5 for forcing the extremity of the container against its seat to form a sealed joint between such parts. Conventional containers of the class described are provided with a penetrable closure disc D which may be pierced to release the fluid under pressure.

At the forward end of bracket it, I provide an upstanding fitting 66 having a vertical passage lfia therein which is connected with the delivery conduit ii at its lower end. The upper end of passage its is angularly disposed to communicate with the central apertured portion of the compressible seat i id and has mounted therein and extending axially thereof, a piercing pin I? slidably mounted in a packing gland l8 seated in the upper and forward portion of fitting l6. Piercing pin i! terminates at its inner end in a point head normally spaced a slight distance forwardly of the closure disc D of the container. The outer end of the piercing pin il in the form of mechanism disclosed extends a short is adapted to be drawn through these 1 Means is associated distance beyond the fitting it and is connected by slot and pin connection Isa with the forward and depending arm 912 of an operating lever iii which, as shown, is intermediately fulcrumed on an upstanding lug ifib integrally formed with the upper portion of fitting it. The handle portion liic as shown, extends in normal position rearwardly for convenient reach by the pilot or operator.

I prefer to provide a closure valve 28' actuated by operation of the lever 19 for closing off communication between the nozzle i2 and my system when lever i9 is thrown to puncture disc D and release extinguishing fluid from the container. To this end, a valve casing section i in is provided in conduit ll just forwardly of its connection with the passage lfia of fitting i6 and a slide or gate valve 2e afiixed to the lower end of a tappet rod 253a is normally held in open position by means of a coil spring 35 interposed between an enlarged or embossed portion of the valve casing and an abutment pin 29 fixed to intermediate portion of the tappet stem. The valve casing Hg, is of rectangular internal cross sectional shape and valve 20 is similarly shaped to closely fit the interior thereof when the valve is closed. The upper portion of the tappet stem 2E3 is guided through a forwardly extending lug i 6d integrally formed or otherwise rigidly afiixed to fitting 55. The upper extremity of tappet rod 29a is in the form of a tappet head which is engaged by the curved camming edge 1912 provided by the lower end i912 of the operating lever, the relation of said camming edge to the pivot 22 of lever 59 being that in the swinging of the lever, valve as will be moved downwardly to close the passage in the valve casing I la.

To materially assist visual detection of smoke issuing from nozzle i2, I prefer to provide the interior of this nozzle with a small light source such as a very small incandescent electrical bulb mounted within a suitable minature socket 24 which is mounted laterally in the upper portion of nozzle 52, a short distance below the conical discharge end thereof.

Operation It will of course, be understood that while in Figs. 1 to 3 I have illustrated a single application of my system to protect and service one compartment, that this identical simplified system may be duplicated for each of a number of compartments with the individual detection nozzles 12 for each system disposed in upstanding, close spaced relation, all directed upwardly towards the side of the head of the pilot or operator, s that smoke discharged will be readily visihis and accessible for smell.

Air is constantly withdrawn from the cornpartrnent serviced through the smoke withdrawing member it and communicating conduit H, such withdrawn air or gaseous media issuing from the orifice of nozzle i2 and being directed upwardly at the side of or before the face of the person seated or stationed in the position of seat S. In this connection, I find it desirable to employ a fan of sufficient power to place the interior of chamber C under slight partial vacuum and thereby, minimize leakage and content of combustion supporting air in that compartment.

If smoke is produced in compartment C, it will almost immediately be drawn through my system issuing from nozzle i2 and being directed forcibly upward in jet form in proximity t the, pilots nostrils. The pungent odor will immediately be detected and further visual detection is of course present, materially aided by the production of light in the issuing jet of smoke. Thus, if the central station or cockpit is in darkness, the smoke may be readily observed as well as smelled by the operator.

Where the system is multiplied for serving a number of. compartments, the operator will first be warned of smoke probably through swelling the same and may quickly determine the precise nozzle. from which that smoke is issuing since the nozzles are all uncovered andv are provided with lights on. the interior thereof.

To extinguish the fire a predetermined compartmen't, the pilot or operator merely reaches back and pulls the operating lever is forwardly, the piercing pin ll penetrating the closure disc D of the container and causing carbon dioxide or other extinguishing fluid under pressure, to be immediately released. Simultaneously torelease of extinguishing; fluid, the valve 20 is cammed to closed position, breaking on communication between the nozzle I2 and th forward portion of conduit tl ahead of the "emmunicating fitting It. The releasedext'ineuishing fluid under its ressure is discharged rearwardly through conduit l'l into the distributor head in where it emanates inthe form or the invention shown, througha multiplicity of onflees and is distributed throughout the u per portion of the compartments serviced.

With my structure, if it is necessary to supply an additional extinguishing fluid container to fully" extinguish a fire, the substitution may be made with ease and speed by merely slipping the container X'from its resilient retaining means after retracting level l9 rearwardly' to normal position and pushing the new container into place.

The escape and expansion of extinguishing fluid through the fitting [6a and. the large amount of heat absorption there produced, enables the pilot or attendant to readily know that the exting uishi'n'g' operation is being carried on and subsequent warming or the line and fitting l6 makes clear to the pilot by Series of touch, that the extinguishing fluid is spent.

In Figs. 4 to 6, I illustrate in diagram, the modification of my invention applied to selectively detect and extinguish fire iii a plurality of diiiererit compartments by successively extracting samples of gaseous medium from the compartments and discharging the same through a common detectior i nozzle and for selectively connecting any particular compartment where a fire has occurred with the extinguishing fluid distributor.

To this end, in Fig. 4 a large commercial transport fuselage is shown, broken away to indicate the pilot's cockpit CP and storage compartments Cl, C2 and C3, each of these storage compartments being provided with a combination smokewithdrawing and fluid distributing member ID, as shown, of annular form similar to the member' I El previously described. Each of said members 0 are connected by an independent conduit l with a valve casing V disposed preferably at av point behind the pilots cockpit. The several valve casings V (3- in number in the embodiment shown) are disposed in close spaced relation and individually communicate at their upper ends with a manifold duct 30' which extends forwardly to communicate with an upstanding smoke-detectihg nozzle l2 common to all the conduits H and similar in construction to the smoke-detecting nozzle previously described, with reference. to the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 3. The common detecting nozzle I2 is provided at its base with a fan casing portion I30. having mounted therein, a fan I3 which is driven by a motor M, all of similar construction and function t the similar parts of the form of the invention first described.

Intermediately of nozzle l2" and the three valves V, manifold duct till is supplied with a common available source of extinguishing fluid and operating mechanism and valve mechanism for immediately and. easily rendering this 'extinguishing fluid available and in discharge with the manifold duct 30. The structure of the holdor and retainer for the fluid tank X, the fitting for communication with the discharge end of the container, the lever actuated operating or sealpier'cing' mechanism and the simultaneously operating valve structure manifold duct 36, as shown, are all identical with the similar structure shown in Figs. 1 to 3 and previously described with reference to the first form of the invention.

My system illustrated and diagrammed in Figs. 4 to 6 includes an electrically or time actuated system for progressively and in sequence, opening and closing the three valves Vi, V2 and V3 (see Fig. 5') whereby samples of air withdrawn from the three compartments serviced will be successively taken at short intervals and discharged through the common smoke detecting nozzle 2 at a point readily Visible to the pilot or attendant and readily accessible for smell.

While various mechanisms can be utilized to accomplish this purpose and successively operate at short intervals, the valves V6, V2 and V3,

I illustrate an electrical system selectively controlled by an electric clock mechanism, indicated as an entirety by the letters EM, having as shown, three sets of wiping contacts 5, 2 and 3, which are engaged by the normally moving contact arm and handle 35 of the electric clock. The valves in valve casings V are preferably of the solenoid type, normally urged to closed position by gravity or spring action and each is equipped with an electro-magnetic coil (not shown) which is, when energized, adapted to lift the plunger thereon to open selectively, the valves for short intervals. The electrical system or circuit diagrammed in Fig. 5 is equipped with a master switch MS which may be opened to render the electric clock mechanism inactive, but which does not affect the electrical system for controlling opening and closing of the several valves Vl to vs respectivel The movable contact arm 3% provided with a die ectric hand; sic may be manually turned to cause simultaneous wiping of the two corresponding 'a-rciiate, stationary contacts for the three sets of solenoid valves. Thus, to very definito'ly determine the compartment from which smoke is issuing, the pilot or attendant may retaln the movable contact 3'! momentarily in the positions" l, 2 or 3, where apparently, indication of fire was obtained and if the movable contact is wrongly n cried, smoke will no longer emahate troiil detection nozzle l2. As soon as the compartment from which smoke issues is very definitely determined, the movable contact arm 35 lifted the appropriate position, master switch is opened and the particular valve Vi, V2 or Vll, as the case he, remains open for. of the particular smokewithdrawing and fluid-distributing member Ill with the manifold duct 36'. The pilot or attendant then pulls forward on the operating lever It, causing the sealed end of the extinguishing fluid container X to be punctured and simultaneously closing the valve 2& to prevent forward passage of extinguishing fluid to the nozzle 52. The discharged fluid under great pressure, is transmitted through the common duct 3% to the particular conduit ll servicing the compartment in which the fire has been started. After the fire has been extinguished and the empty container replaced, the system may again readily be put in operation by closing the master switch MS which controls the operation of the electric clock mechanism.

To enable the rotary and manually settable contact arm 35 to be adjusted at will, I provide a suitable means such as a retractible ratchet connection 32a between the arbor shaft 32 of the electrical clock mechanism and a stub shaft 33 slidably housed and journaled in a bearing collar 34. Stub shaft 33 is afiixed non-rctatively to the handle 3! a and rotary contact member 3i and extends through the stationary dial 35 on which the stationary, arcuate contacts are mounted. A coil spring 38 urges stub shaft 33 inwardly to normally connect the movable contact member and handle with the shaft 32 of the electric clock mechanism. With such mechanism, the movable contact may be manually disconnected from riving engagement with the electric clock during operation of the latter and may be manually adjusted during operation of the clock or when the electric clock is idle, to energize selectively, electromatic coils of any one or" the solenoid valve mechanisms VI, V2 or V3. The electrical diagram of Fig. also shows the motor M connected in circuit and provided with a motor switch 37 which may independently cut ofi operation of the motor even though the electric clock mechanism is in operation.

With the form of my invention illustrated and diagrammed in Figs. a to 6 inclusive, a plurality of compartments or rooms may be serviced with provision for rapid interval smoke detection selectively, of the several compartments and with provision for selective application of extinguishing fluid to any one of the compartments, all with the utilization of a minimum number of parts, mechanisms and cooperating elements.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, arrangement and proportions of the parts without departing from the scope of my invention.

What I claim is:

l. A smcke-detecting and fire-extingu shing system comp-rising a conduit having a terminal adapted for communication with a closed compartment, an uncased smoke detection nozzle having a jet-directing orifice, a small conduit connected to said nozzle and constructed to support said nozzle to direct a small jet of gaseous medium adjacent the nostrils of a person posi ticned at a central station such as an airplane cockpit, means for connecting said nozzle with said conduit, means for normally causing a fiow of gaseous medium from said terminal through said conduit and through said nozzle, means for introducing fire-extingu shing fluid under pressure into said conduit and for simultaneously shutting off flow of gaseous medium through said nozz e, said means having an operating element mounted adjacent the nozzle conduit.

2. In a smoke-detecting and fire-extinguishing system utilizing a combination smoke-withdrawing'and fluid-distributing member adapted for disposition in a compartment, an elongated, small, smoke-detection element having an end orifice adapted to direct a small jet of gaseous medium adjacent the nostrils of a person positioned at a central station, a condu t connecting said nozzle with said smoke-withdrawing and fluid-distributing member, means for causing normally, a how of gaseous medium from said smoke-withdrawing and fluid-distributing element through said nozzle, means for introducing fire extinguishing fluid under pressure into said conduit between said nozzle and said fluid distributing member and a valve for shutting ofi flow of gaseous medium through said nozzle and an operating member mounted adjacent said smoke-detection element and having connections for simultaneously operating said fluid-introducing means and for closing said valve.

3. In smoke-detecting and fire-extinguishing apparatus, a conduit system adapted to both withdraw gaseous medium from a compartment and to supply extinguishing fluid to such compartment, a nozzle connected with said conduit system at a remote point from a compartment to be serviced, said nozzle terminating in a tapered discharge end adapted to be directed towards the face of an operator and adapted to discharge a jet of gaseous medium, means for normally setting up a flow of gaseous medium in the direction of said nozzle and a small light-source within said nozzle inwardly of the discharge thereof to illuminate and apply refraction to smoke issuing from said discharge.

l. Detection and control mechanism for a smokadetecting and fire-extinguishing system of the type utilizing a fluid-distributing member disposed in a remote compartment and having connection with a conduit for transmitting smoke from said compartment as well as for conducting extinguishing fluid to said compartment, a small, elongated smoke-detect on nozzle having an orifice at its outer end and provided with base attachment means to poistion said nozzle for directing a small jet of gaseous medium adjacent the nostrils of a person in predetermined position at a station such as the cockpit of an airplane, said nozzle having means for connection with the main conduit of said system, a holder for a container of extinguishing fluid mounted adjacent the base of said nozzle in position for control and inspection by the pilot or other operator, mechanism associated with said holder for instant y releasing the contents of said fluid-ext nguishing container into the main conduit of said system and for simultaneously shutting off communication of said nozzle with said system.

5. Detection and fluid supply and control mechanism for a smoke-detecting and fire-extinguishing system of the type utilizing a fluiddistrihuting and smoke-receiving member disposed in a remote compartment and a main conduit in communication therewith, said mechanism comprising a compact supporting structure adapted to be fixedly mounted adjacent a pilot or operators seat located in a central station such as the airplane cockpit, a visual smoke-detection element supported in upstanding relation from said supporting structure, said supporting structure including a passage-forming medium communicating with said detection element and adapted for coupling with the main conduit of said system, a holder mounted on said supporting structure for reta ning a container of extinguishing fluid, means associated with said holder for connecting the discharge of a held container with a passage-forming medium supplied by said supporting structure and an operating member mounted on said holder and disposed adjacent said supporting structure for instantly connecting the interior of a held container with said last mentioned passage.

6. The structure set forth in claim 5, a valve in said passage-forming medium and an actuating connection between said operating member and said valve to cause closing of said valve when extinguishing fluid is released from a held container.

'7. Detection and fluid supply and control mechanism for a smoke-detecting and fire-extinguishing system of the type utilizing a combined fluiddistributing and smoke-receiving member disposed in a remote compartment and a main conduit in communication therewith, said mechanism' comprising a small, elongated smoke-detection nozzle having an orifice at its outer end and provided with base attachment means to position said nozzle for directing a small jet of gaseous medium adjacent the eyes and nostrils of a person in predetermined position at a station 25 2,437,071

such as a cockpit of an airplane, said nozzle hav- 15 REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 20 Number Name Date 1,343,911 Freygang et al June 22, 1920 1,930,670 Allen Oct. 17, 1933 2,118,836 Carter May 31, 1938 Cahusac et al May 2, 1948 

